How Did the Twelve Apostles Die?
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patrick
Who were the twelve apostles in the Bible? When and how did they die? The Bible only mentions the deaths of two apostles, James who was put to death by Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD and Judas Iscariot who committed suicide shortly after the death of Christ. What happened to the rest? Read on to find out.
Simon surnamed Peter died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. According to Smiths Bible Dictionary there is "satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome, and died in that city. The time and manner of the apostles martyrdom are less certain. According to the early writers, he died at or about the same time with Paul, and in the Neronian persecution, A.D. 67,68. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward."
James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.
John: No death date given by early writers. Various bible historians believe he died sometime between 89 AD to 120 AD
Andrew: No accurate death date given. A variety of traditions say he preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace. He is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia.
Philip: Again, the Bible does not say when he died nor do we have accurate information. According to tradition he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis.
Bartholomew is one of the three apostles for whom we have no information about his death, not even by tradition.
Matthew: Lived many years as an apostle. He was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ. There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. Legend tells us he died in Ethiopia as a martyr.
Thomas: The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa. The later traditions carry him farther east. His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance, and is commemorated by the Latin Church on December 21 the Greek Church on October 6, and by the Indians on July 1.
James Alpheus: We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible. According to tradition, James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fullers club. (I guess they wanted to make sure he was really dead. After all Paul was once left for dead but recovered.)
Simon the Canaanite " No information either in the Bible or by tradition.
Jude (Thaddeus) according to tradition Jude evangelized in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was martyred. Tradition also tells us he was buried near the Caspian Sea in what is now Iran.
Judas Iscariot: Shortly after the death of Christ Judas killed himself. Matthew writes about it in Matthew 27:5. Judas hanged himself at Aceldama, on the southern slope of the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, and in doing so he fell down a cliff and was dashed into pieces.
Simon surnamed Peter died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. According to Smiths Bible Dictionary there is "satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome, and died in that city. The time and manner of the apostles martyrdom are less certain. According to the early writers, he died at or about the same time with Paul, and in the Neronian persecution, A.D. 67,68. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified with his head downward."
James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.
John: No death date given by early writers. Various bible historians believe he died sometime between 89 AD to 120 AD
Andrew: No accurate death date given. A variety of traditions say he preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace. He is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia.
Philip: Again, the Bible does not say when he died nor do we have accurate information. According to tradition he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis.
Bartholomew is one of the three apostles for whom we have no information about his death, not even by tradition.
Matthew: Lived many years as an apostle. He was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least twenty years after the death of Christ. There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. Legend tells us he died in Ethiopia as a martyr.
Thomas: The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa. The later traditions carry him farther east. His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance, and is commemorated by the Latin Church on December 21 the Greek Church on October 6, and by the Indians on July 1.
James Alpheus: We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible. According to tradition, James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fullers club. (I guess they wanted to make sure he was really dead. After all Paul was once left for dead but recovered.)
Simon the Canaanite " No information either in the Bible or by tradition.
Jude (Thaddeus) according to tradition Jude evangelized in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was martyred. Tradition also tells us he was buried near the Caspian Sea in what is now Iran.
Judas Iscariot: Shortly after the death of Christ Judas killed himself. Matthew writes about it in Matthew 27:5. Judas hanged himself at Aceldama, on the southern slope of the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, and in doing so he fell down a cliff and was dashed into pieces.
About the Author:
Margaret S. Agard, is a Bible history enthusiast and contributor to the Amazing Bible Timeline with World History. Her website at http://agards-bible-timeline.com offers access to the entire 6000 years of Bible and World history; Bible history articles and answers to the most asked Bible and world history questions.
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